The neglected classics?

[MrPleshko]

Hello, everyone.

I'm new to the American classics board.  My name is Kevin and I teach American lit at a large prep school in the central U.S.

I had a question that this board might be interested in discussing: What are the "neglected classics of American literature" in your view?  Those novels hailed by the scholars and the press, but that seem to fall by the wayside of popular readership?  Those works that can stand up next to a Great Gatsby, Huckleberry Finn or Grapes of Wrath, yet have not, for whatever reason, found a readership in academia and beyond?

I'm curious to see what comes up in response to this question, and will also respond when I have it figured out a bit more clearly as well.

Thanks for your time,

Kevin 

[Timbuktu1]

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MrPleshko wrote:

Hello, everyone.

I'm new to the American classics board.  My name is Kevin and I teach American lit at a large prep school in the central U.S.

I had a question that this board might be interested in discussing: What are the "neglected classics of American literature" in your view?  Those novels hailed by the scholars and the press, but that seem to fall by the wayside of popular readership?  Those works that can stand up next to a Great Gatsby, Huckleberry Finn or Grapes of Wrath, yet have not, for whatever reason, found a readership in academia and beyond?

I'm curious to see what comes up in response to this question, and will also respond when I have it figured out a bit more clearly as well.

Thanks for your time,

Kevin

I'm not sure if this would qualify but I think "The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin" should be read by all American schoolchildren.  I also read "Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm" with my daughter and it was so beautiful I wondered why it wasn't read more often.

So much of assigned literature is more depressing than inspirational.  Kids need models of good behavior and paths to success.

I also think that something like Huckleberry Finn should be taught in conjunction with Rousseau.  It's important to teach it conceptually or it will just be seen as an adventure story. 

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[SKELLINGTON]

Hi Kevin-

I read "To Kill a Mockingbird" when I was in school and it truly had a huge impact on me. Still to this day...I think of it. Even the film was brilliant, such a simmple story with such a great moral. It makes me want to read it again, and I think I will. I think that is what a great book does, it stays with you.

Andrew/Skellington